The first-ever Changemakers in STEM Virtual Youth Congress was held this spring. The event brought together middle and high school students from around the world to learn about STEM challenges and generate ideas to address them.
Planned for and by students, the Congress brought students together for three online sessions. During the first event on February 3, participants learned from STEM professionals about challenges in Sustainability, Tech for Good, Aerospace Engineering or Artificial Intelligence (AI). During the second session on February 17, students worked in teams to generate ideas and design solutions for these global challenges. During the final session on March 2, teams had an opportunity to share their proposals with global leaders.
The Changemakers in STEM Youth Congress was hosted by SciTech Institute, their Chief Science Officers Program and TIES. STEM SENC was one of dozens of partnering organizations that helped to promote the opportunity and select student participants.
Edward Burton is one of eight students from Southeastern North Carolina that registered to participate in the Changemakers event through STEM SENC. Edward is an eighth grade student at Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences where is involved in Science Olympiad, Mathcounts and his school’s Student Leadership Association.
“I am personally invested in the science, math and leadership required for change,” Edward said. “I enjoyed the Changemakers conference and appreciate the opportunity to be included.”
Edward and his team chose the use of recreational weather balloons for studying weather patterns, climate change and air quality as the focus of their project.
“Three things I enjoyed about the conference are meeting new people from all over the world, learning about Aerospace Engineering, and creating a project to completion,” he said. “It was fascinating to work with a girl from Kenya because she had such a different perspective. I also enjoyed completing a project with people from all over the globe. I made new friends and learned a lot about Aerospace. In addition, I learned about new concepts about rockets and planes, and how they are designed.”
The idea for the Changemakers in STEM Youth Congress was formed following a presentation by Freya Abraham at the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice in Florida in May 2023. Abraham, a Chief Science Officer Alumna said that it was time to listen to youth about real world issues, and she encouraged STEM leaders to envision creating space for voices like hers to be heard, and where a path to action would be possible.
“As one of 111 ecosystems across the globe who were selected to join the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, STEM SENC is pleased to support and promote programs that provide unique opportunities for students in 13 counties in southeastern North Carolina to learn, share their voices, and develop as leaders,” said Heddy Clark, executive director of STEM SENC.
STEM Southeastern North Carolina (SENC), led by the UNCW Watson College of Education, is a regional effort that brings together people, organizations, schools and businesses to support STEM learning in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland counties
For more information please visit the STEM SENC website.
This article has the following tags: Watson College of Education Engagement Students & Alumni